Hmm... not sure about the comment karma thing. People with decent averages may refrain from posting more speculative comments, just so it doesn't drag them down. That would seem to reinforce a tendency towards group-think. Of course, maybe that is good. :)
Not just people with good averages, but more so people with lower averages who want to make them better.It may keep them from expressing counter-views that the orangey colored folks might, as a collective, down-mod and post ripostes which will encourage others to down-mod or not up-mod further.
Not implying that the orangey folks think as a herd, but it is possible that, by virtue of their prettier coloring, people will be more inclined to follow their lead, and think their opinion the more correct one.
Sure, it makes people less likely to post anything that goes against the desires of the group. This will impact inane and stupid and inflammatory things more than unpopular ideas. As long as they are phrased civilly, unpopular ideas usually do fine. It's just that very often people that know their ideas are unpopular go out of their way to antagonize the community.
It also really hits those of us who make lots of little comments across several threads. Unless you're early to comment, the structure of the thread's already there -- you don't want to coerce your own discussion into it, just add your thoughts.
